Atlanta Metropolitan Area
After a career spanning continents, cultures, and decades, I’ve turned my focus to a deeper exploration of unlocking human potential at scale. Drawing on my experiences, I’ve developed an innovative, actionable model for personal and professional growth, introduced in my book, “Soulgery” (now available). The name Soulgery is inspired by the idea that each of us can do a kind of “self-surgery” on our souls—not to imply that we can operate on them but to suggest that we can connect with them by managing our thoughts, emotions, and mental models. Soulgery offers an organic yet transformative way to accelerate growth through the natural course of everyday life. Designed to resonate across cultures and world-views, the framework empowers each individual to chart their unique course. By honoring our capacity to grow on our own terms, Soulgery builds a living foundation for unlocking human potential at scale. My career highlights include: - 25 years at The Coca-Cola Company, largely in strategic leadership roles - Served as President of Coca-Cola International, overseeing all operations outside North America - As Group President of Eurasia and Africa, led key markets such as India, Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Türkiye, the Middle East, and Africa - Chaired the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) and the Brazil-U.S., the U.S.-Pakistan, and the U.S.-Turkey Business Councils Earlier in my career, I worked in the computer auditing practice at Coopers & Lybrand and taught as an assistant professor at the DeVry Institute of Technology. Today, I serve on the Advisory Board of Swire Coca-Cola, the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University, and on the Board of Directors of the Turkish Philanthropy Funds. Past board roles include Coca-Cola Hellenic, HepsiBurada, and ESAS Holding. Born in Istanbul, I earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Middle East Technical University (Ankara) before moving to the United States in 1981, where I completed a Master’s in Business Information Systems at Georgia State University. I now live in Georgia with my wife Fatos and our two children, Kerem and Esra. If you’re interested in exploring ideas around growth and leadership, I’d welcome the opportunity to connect.